Changing spark plugs and wires on 2000 Ford Windstar

Does anyone knwo how to change the rear plugs and wires on a 2000 Windstar?

rhe

12-27-2005, 03:56 PM

Does anyone knwo how to change the rear plugs and wires on a 2000 Windstar?

There are lots of old postings on this. Two approaches: The bottom up people explain how to get at the rear plugs from underneath (car on a lift). The Top down people tell how to remove the wiper arms, plastic dress cover and metal wiper support tray. I've done the later; it takes a about two hours to get things out of your way then feel the boots off and exchange plugs (blind approach).

Caution: do not use Bosch platinum. I've had many misfiring problems due to those. Use only Motorcraft double platinums. They look like the "older" style plugs with a large spark post.

Hope this helps

DRW1000

12-27-2005, 09:52 PM

There are lots of old postings on this. Two approaches: The bottom up people explain how to get at the rear plugs from underneath (car on a lift). The Top down people tell how to remove the wiper arms, plastic dress cover and metal wiper support tray. I've done the later; it takes a about two hours to get things out of your way then feel the boots off and exchange plugs (blind approach).

Caution: do not use Bosch platinum. I've had many misfiring problems due to those. Use only Motorcraft double platinums. They look like the "older" style plugs with a large spark post.

Hope this helps

I agree do NOT use Bosch platinum or Bosch double platinum or Bosch Platimum 4s. What you need are plugs that are platimum coated on both the centre and side electrodes. The Bosch (and most other) platinum plugs are platinum on the centre electrodes only. The 4's have 4 side electrodes but none of them are platinum. I believe that only Motorcraft and Autolite make the proper plugs for your Windstar.

I did mine from the top. Not an easy job. Next time I might try from the bottom.

LeSabre97mint

12-27-2005, 10:49 PM

I agree do NOT use Bosch platinum or Bosch double platinum or Bosch Platimum 4s. What you need are plugs that are platimum coated on both the centre and side electrodes. The Bosch (and most other) platinum plugs are platinum on the centre electrodes only. The 4's have 4 side electrodes but none of them are platinum. I believe that only Motorcraft and Autolite make the proper plugs for your Windstar.

I did mine from the top. Not an easy job. Next time I might try from the bottom.

I'm running Bosh platinum in my 95 and it "seems" to be running okay. My millage is 15 - 23/gal depending on the type of driving and seasons.

I've done the top down blind plug change on a 93 Taurus (on the rear) (and it was a pain in the rear). I would recomend putting a (at least the 95) Windstar on ramps and getting at the rear plugs from the bottom.

Regards

Da

DRW1000

12-28-2005, 05:34 PM

Not sure if the 95s fired in pairs as do the 99s and later.

In any event the Bosch 4's will work fine!

The "4"s have a quantity of 4 side electrodes. Electricity takes the path of least resistance. If one side electrode wears there is another one. (in fact 4 in all). The centre is platinum coated and will last longer. The Autolites and the Motorcraft have a single side electrode but platinum coated. Since on some years, 1/2 of the plugs fired in reverse only the two meet factory specs.

I would be curious as to how long the Boschs will last. I seriously considered them but the reverse firing (on my year anyway) and the fact that they were not any cheaper made be go with the Fords - I'm going in there often enough getting parts to fix design flaws (AKA TSBs), in any event...........................